Linklater and Hawke lure you in within the first ten minutes— then suddenly you find yourself chasing every piece of dialog at the chance of filling out this canvas. Qualley is stunningly captivating and Ethan Hawke's transformation goes from a simple combover to devistatingly human. Beautifully tight from end to end, chef's kiss.
One of the most poignant, poetic and heartbreaking films I've ever watched. Ethan Hawke is just ineffably mesmerising as Lorenz Hart, and I felt every emotion, every snick of his brow, every note of the falsetto he sang to appease those around him while he withered inside. This is truly one of the best stories I've ever seen.
okay saw Blue Moon, it was on my watch list for quite sometime.
it was an okay movie, it definitely did not catch the magic of Before Trilogy, don't I would recommend it to anyone.
Fantastic performance by Ethan Hawke. Carried a movie with dialogue alone. When he and linklater get together they put together these movies that prove you don't need effects or tired plot devices. Just a good idea, the right words, and one perfect performance.
Blue Moon is basically a two-hour monologue by Mr. Hawke, with a couple of conversations scattered in between to bring the whole thing home. And honestly, poor guy. The movie puts almost everything on his shoulders: the regret, the ego, the sadness, the wit, the drinking, the old wounds, and that exhausted feeling of a man who knows the world may have already moved on without asking his permission.
This is not a fast movie. It is not built around big events or dramatic turns. It is mostly a man talking, remembering, defending himself, attacking others, and slowly revealing how broken and aware he really is. That can be tiring, but it also gives the movie its strange charm. You are not watching a plot explode; you are watching a personality collapse in slow motion.
The conversations around him help, but they mostly exist to reflect him back to himself. Every exchange feels like another little reminder that talent does not save you from bitterness, and intelligence does not always make you wise. Hawke carries that very well. He makes the character annoying, sad, funny, pathetic, and human at the same time.
What stayed with me most was the idea that “happy endings are easy.” They were onto something there. A happy ending is clean. It gives the audience comfort. But real life does not always offer that. Sometimes there is no grand redemption, no perfect apology, no final applause. Sometimes there is only another drink, another conversation, another memory, and the realization that the best parts of your life may already be behind you.
I would not call Blue Moon amazing, but it is thoughtful. It has something to say about fame, regret, aging, and the stories people tell themselves to survive disappointment. Not for everyone, but it stayed with me more than I expected.
I’m a huge fan of Richard Linklater and this certainly says within his comfort zone. A dialogue heavy, primarily one location film that features one of Ethan Hawke’s best performances. The issue here is, if you’re not particularly interested in the subject matter or the character, then its hard to stay focused. I drifted more times than I can count and had to return to it the next day… only to have to continue the battle. Sadly BLUE MOON was a real struggle.
When you see a man's heart break through his eyes...
Extremely my shit. Of Human Bondage deeply marked me when I read it, years ago, so when he pulled it out, I was even more all in than I was before. Drunk on beauty, for sure. I love these songs so much. Not surprised that I loved watching this.
I really, really enjoyed this.
Ethan Hawke was terrific and not at all like I've seen him before. The script was sharp and interesting, it felt like this could be a stage play (which makes sense based on the subjects of the story).
Margaret Qualley was great but when is she not? Richard Linklater is a director that I don't have a good grasp on, I'm gonna have to fill in some of the holes in his filmography for myself.
Would definitely watch this again.
It's amazing how a few good actors and a set that's just a room can make a great film.
Very specific.. if you're not a devotee of that type of music.. or of that period of Americana.. and to the theater and all things theater.. it's probably not your cup of tea
Why the accolades? Hawke fails at trying to make believe he can fake the persona of a New York Jewish guy, who also happens to be a homosexual. Both of those backgrounds have strong influences on behavior. The script is exceptionally clever, and Hawke does try, but the attempt is obvious, and you can see his struggle. Everybody is playing Make Believe, and failing. The bartender should stick to Italian Mafia roles, and What’s her name is lovely, but ineffectual. The guys playing Roger’s and Hammerstein? Unreal, total miscasting. All in all, it would have been better presented as a radio play.
Love that the emotional thesis of this film can accurately be summed up with Kanye’s “30 Hours”
I, too, dislike Oklahoma!
That’s what he gets for not introducing Knuckles to Rodgers
Margaret Qualley is young but I’m not sure she should still be playing a 20 year old! Apologies!
Currently Ranked #49/192 in 2025 Ranked
A sleeper. Was hoping for some variance in sets and more dialog, less monologue.
Beautiful movie!! Beautiful direction and a magnificent interpretation by Ethan Hawke. Great dialogues and a whole universe of the arts, vanity and love so well represented on the movie screen. A very well cut gem, that's what this movie is.
it's basically a play that talks about musicals.... not exactly my cup of tea. But you gotta give it up for Ethan Hawke. Boy can that guy act
Love talky Linklater and teaming up with Hawke again always makes me happy. The dialogue was funny and the banter between the small cast was captivating. The movie flew by even though it basically only takes place in one location. Not sure how they made Hawke look 5 feet tall the whole time, that was very impressive. Hawke now joins Leo and Michael B Jordan as my favourite performances of the year so far (I haven't seen Marty Supreme yet but I predict Chalamet will be added to my list). They should be the front runners for best actor this year. I'll be bummed if all three don't get nominated.
👍👍
8.5/10
This movie is a quiet ramp of filmmaking and an astonishing testimony about the careers of some folks that entertained generations.
It also feels like a slice of life lost a time when people were more connected live their lives more in public spaces.
Ethan Hawk‘s performance is just off the charts. Everyone in the movie was great.
Whatever weird thing they were doing to move Ethan Hawk around to make him seem short was a little uncanny Valley and they should stop doing whatever that is.
Reviews
Blue Moon
Michael Foster reviewed
Blue Moon
December 3, 2025Linklater and Hawke lure you in within the first ten minutes— then suddenly you find yourself chasing every piece of dialog at the chance of filling out this canvas. Qualley is stunningly captivating and Ethan Hawke's transformation goes from a simple combover to devistatingly human. Beautifully tight from end to end, chef's kiss.
Ajay reviewed
Blue Moon
August 11, 2026One of the most poignant, poetic and heartbreaking films I've ever watched. Ethan Hawke is just ineffably mesmerising as Lorenz Hart, and I felt every emotion, every snick of his brow, every note of the falsetto he sang to appease those around him while he withered inside. This is truly one of the best stories I've ever seen.
shmericshmorter reviewed
Blue Moon
June 28, 2026Fantastic performance by Ethan Hawke. Carried a movie with dialogue alone. When he and linklater get together they put together these movies that prove you don't need effects or tired plot devices. Just a good idea, the right words, and one perfect performance.
fhe82 reviewed
Blue Moon
June 8, 2026Blue Moon is basically a two-hour monologue by Mr. Hawke, with a couple of conversations scattered in between to bring the whole thing home. And honestly, poor guy. The movie puts almost everything on his shoulders: the regret, the ego, the sadness, the wit, the drinking, the old wounds, and that exhausted feeling of a man who knows the world may have already moved on without asking his permission.
This is not a fast movie. It is not built around big events or dramatic turns. It is mostly a man talking, remembering, defending himself, attacking others, and slowly revealing how broken and aware he really is. That can be tiring, but it also gives the movie its strange charm. You are not watching a plot explode; you are watching a personality collapse in slow motion.
The conversations around him help, but they mostly exist to reflect him back to himself. Every exchange feels like another little reminder that talent does not save you from bitterness, and intelligence does not always make you wise. Hawke carries that very well. He makes the character annoying, sad, funny, pathetic, and human at the same time.
What stayed with me most was the idea that “happy endings are easy.” They were onto something there. A happy ending is clean. It gives the audience comfort. But real life does not always offer that. Sometimes there is no grand redemption, no perfect apology, no final applause. Sometimes there is only another drink, another conversation, another memory, and the realization that the best parts of your life may already be behind you.
I would not call Blue Moon amazing, but it is thoughtful. It has something to say about fame, regret, aging, and the stories people tell themselves to survive disappointment. Not for everyone, but it stayed with me more than I expected.
Rick Masters reviewed
Blue Moon
November 28, 2025I’m a huge fan of Richard Linklater and this certainly says within his comfort zone. A dialogue heavy, primarily one location film that features one of Ethan Hawke’s best performances. The issue here is, if you’re not particularly interested in the subject matter or the character, then its hard to stay focused. I drifted more times than I can count and had to return to it the next day… only to have to continue the battle. Sadly BLUE MOON was a real struggle.
EdmondZippo reviewed
Blue Moon
February 21, 2026When you see a man's heart break through his eyes...
Extremely my shit. Of Human Bondage deeply marked me when I read it, years ago, so when he pulled it out, I was even more all in than I was before. Drunk on beauty, for sure. I love these songs so much. Not surprised that I loved watching this.
LivewireAdmin reviewed
Blue Moon
February 3, 2026I really, really enjoyed this.
Ethan Hawke was terrific and not at all like I've seen him before. The script was sharp and interesting, it felt like this could be a stage play (which makes sense based on the subjects of the story).
Margaret Qualley was great but when is she not? Richard Linklater is a director that I don't have a good grasp on, I'm gonna have to fill in some of the holes in his filmography for myself.
Would definitely watch this again.
EmperorWatcher reviewed
Blue Moon
January 17, 2026Why the accolades? Hawke fails at trying to make believe he can fake the persona of a New York Jewish guy, who also happens to be a homosexual. Both of those backgrounds have strong influences on behavior. The script is exceptionally clever, and Hawke does try, but the attempt is obvious, and you can see his struggle. Everybody is playing Make Believe, and failing. The bartender should stick to Italian Mafia roles, and What’s her name is lovely, but ineffectual. The guys playing Roger’s and Hammerstein? Unreal, total miscasting. All in all, it would have been better presented as a radio play.
cultfilmliker reviewed
Blue Moon
January 8, 2026Love that the emotional thesis of this film can accurately be summed up with Kanye’s “30 Hours”
I, too, dislike Oklahoma!
That’s what he gets for not introducing Knuckles to Rodgers
Margaret Qualley is young but I’m not sure she should still be playing a 20 year old! Apologies!
Currently Ranked #49/192 in 2025 Ranked
Tyler S reviewed
Blue Moon
December 2, 2025Love talky Linklater and teaming up with Hawke again always makes me happy. The dialogue was funny and the banter between the small cast was captivating. The movie flew by even though it basically only takes place in one location. Not sure how they made Hawke look 5 feet tall the whole time, that was very impressive. Hawke now joins Leo and Michael B Jordan as my favourite performances of the year so far (I haven't seen Marty Supreme yet but I predict Chalamet will be added to my list). They should be the front runners for best actor this year. I'll be bummed if all three don't get nominated.
👍👍
8.5/10
redaikidoka reviewed
Blue Moon
January 2, 2026This movie is a quiet ramp of filmmaking and an astonishing testimony about the careers of some folks that entertained generations.
It also feels like a slice of life lost a time when people were more connected live their lives more in public spaces.
Ethan Hawk‘s performance is just off the charts. Everyone in the movie was great.
Whatever weird thing they were doing to move Ethan Hawk around to make him seem short was a little uncanny Valley and they should stop doing whatever that is.
